Trainer cup adapter lid for a beverage can

ABSTRACT

A lid for a rimmed beverage container. The lid has a body with a circular periphery. A lower wall depends from the periphery of the body portion in a first direction, and has an interior wall surface defining a sealing feature operable to sealably engage the rim of the container. A spout extends in a second direction from the body portion, and defines a flow limiting facility to permit passage of beverage fluids under suction, and to limit passage of fluids under gravity. The flow limiting facility may be one or more apertures of limited size, or a valve in the spout, and the wall may include several different diameter sealing features, such that different size containers may be used.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a non-provisional application based on provisionalapplication No. 60/391,755, filed Jun. 26, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to spill-resistant drinkingvessels, and to accessories for beverage containers.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a lid for use incombination with an aluminum beverage can, and specifically to such alid which permits beverage to be consumed with the lid in place, whileat the same time being constructed to resist spillage of the beveragewhen the can is tipped, jostled or dropped.

[0004] A trainer cup (also commonly referred to as a sippy-cup) is a cupor mug provided with a lid having a mouthpiece—usually aspout—associated therewith. These products are well known and have beendesigned to bridge the gap between the use of a baby's feeding bottleand the use of a normal cup or glass by a young child. A trainer cupwill often be a child's first step in learning to feed itself.

[0005] A trainer cup typically comprises an open-mouthed generallycup-shaped container and a lid for the open-mouthed container. The lidhas a spout associated with it, and the lid may be removably attached tothe open-mouthed container. Some prior art arrangements of trainer cupsinclude lids with a spout containing an opening typically in the form ofa slot or a plurality of apertures. These openings provide a flowpassage for withdrawal of the contained liquid and greatly reduce theamount of liquid that spills if the container is tipped or overturned.Another approach to the problem has been to provide a valved spoutarrangement to further reduce the amount of liquid that may spill.

[0006] Trainer cups are particularly useful when on the go—such as whentransporting a young child in an automobile, train, stroller, orairplane for a prolonged period of time. These mobile environments mightbecome exceedingly messy were it not for spill-resistant trainer cups.However, existing trainer cups are easily forgotten, misplaced, lost, ormade too dirty for continued use on a particular outing. Existingtrainer cups are generally much too large to allow a parent to easily orcomfortably keep a spare in a purse, coat pocket, pant pocket orautomobile glove compartment.

[0007] Trainer cups may be filled with separately purchased fruit juiceor other beverages. This is done by removing—often by unscrewing—the lidfrom the open-mouthed container and pouring a beverage therein beforereplacing and tightening the lid and offering the trainer cup to a youngchild. This process can seem frustratingly time-consuming when dealingwith an upset young child.

[0008] Beverages such as apple, tomato, orange and other juices thatwould be suitable for young children to drink are commonly packaged inaluminum cans. Cans are an economical way to store and sell beveragesand are thus rather ubiquitous. Large varieties of canned beverages arereadily available in grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores,vending machines, street vendors, restaurants, and even on airplanes.The cans are inexpensive, portable, easily recycled, and don't pose therisk of shattering as glass bottles may.

[0009] Consumers enjoy the convenience beverage cans offer and commonlyopen and drink directly from such cans. Young children often wish toemulate older siblings and adults and may become fussy when offered adrink that does not closely resemble what others have. Parents, however,hesitate to give canned beverages to young children due to the risk ofmessy spillage and concerns that the metal edge of the opening in thetop of the can may pose a hazard to the lips, gums or tongue of a youngchild who may be teething.

[0010] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the trainercups described above, several objects and advantages of my presentinvention are:

[0011] to provide an adapter lid that will permit a young child (orinfirm adult) to drink from a conventional beverage can in the mannerhe/she would from a spill-resistant trainer cup;

[0012] to provide an adapter lid that in combination with a beverage canwill provide trainer cup functionality, but that may be manufactured atsignificantly lower costs than a complete trainer cup assembly since nocup portion is needed;

[0013] to provide an adapter lid that is significantly more compact andportable than entire trainer cup assemblies so that it may be easilykept in a purse, pocket, glove compartment, etc. and be placed on abeverage can upon purchase of the can;

[0014] to provide an adapter lid that stacks in a nested fashion withidentical adapter lids to minimize space needed at retail or in storageat home or in transit;

[0015] to provide an adapter lid that shields the user's mouth from thepotentially sharp edges of the opening in the top of the aluminumbeverage can;

[0016] to provide an adapter lid that covers the top of the beverage canto prevent a young child from accidentally breaking off the aluminumopening tab and accidentally swallowing or choking on it;

[0017] to provide an adapter lid that allows beverage to be drunk withthe lid in place but that will keep stinging insects such as bees thatmight otherwise be accidentally swallowed out of the beverage;

[0018] to provide an adapter lid that in combination with a beverage canwill provide trainer cup functionality, but that does not require thecleaning of a cup before reuse since the can may be recycled orotherwise disposed of;

[0019] to provide an adapter lid that in combination with a beverage canwill provide trainer cup functionality and fit into typical cup holderswithin an automobile or other environment;

[0020] to provide an adapter lid that provides a means to help lift upon the aluminum opening tab on the beverage can to assist in opening thebeverage before attaching the adapter lid itself;

[0021] to provide an adapter lid that is so inexpensive and recyclablethat it may be disposed of after a single use;

[0022] to provide an adapter lid that may be offered in a range ofcolors so that children may more easily identify which is their drink ina group setting such as a picnic or party;

[0023] to provide an adapter lid that provides a highly visible surfacesuitable for displaying advertising messaging.

[0024] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

[0025] The disclosed embodiments meet some or all of these objectives byproviding a lid for a rimmed beverage container. The lid has a body witha circular periphery. A lower wall depends from the periphery of thebody portion in a first direction, and has an interior wall surfacedefining a sealing feature operable to sealably engage the rim of thecontainer. A spout extends in a second direction from the body portion,and defines a flow limiting facility to permit passage of beveragefluids under suction, and to limit passage of fluids under gravity. Theflow limiting facility may be one or more apertures of limited size, ora valve in the spout, and the wall may include several differentdiameter sealing features, such that different size containers may beused.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a section view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a section view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof the invention.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a still further alternativeembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0031]FIG. 1 shows an adapter lid 11 constructed in accordance with theinvention. It is shown positioned over a conventional aluminum beveragecan 21 in combination with which it is intended to be used. The adapterlid includes a top portion 12 and a side portion or skirt 13. The topportion 12 has an aperture formed therethrough, and the side portion 13extends downwardly from the top portion 12. The top portion is acircular panel, and the side portion is a downwardly depending rim thatflares slightly outward as it depends from the periphery of the panel12. The top portion and the side portion define a unitary constructionhaving an inner side and an outer side. The adapter lid 11 may beconstructed as a unitary molded plastic part. The lid is formed of aslightly flexible food-safe washable material such as polypropylene,with more flexible alternatives being vinyl or rubber. The flexibilitypermits slight stretching of the rim to engage and disengage fromcontainers, as will be discussed below.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, a rim-engaging annulus 14 is formed betweenthe top portion 12 and the side portion 13 on the inner side. Theannulus is essentially a rib that faces inward into the space defined bythe side portion 13, and defines an inwardly-facing channel 20 above theannular rib. The rim-engaging annulus 14 is configured to be releasablyengagable with the rim 22 of a beverage can 21. When installed on a can,the rib 14 resides below the rim 22, and the rim 22 resides within thechannel 20.

[0033] A release lever 15 for aiding in the removal of the adapter lidfrom the beverage can extends from the side portion 13 on the outerside. The lever is a flat protrusion extending laterally from the loweredge of the side wall 13, in a common plane with the inner annular rib14.

[0034] A mouthpiece spout 16 extends upwardly from the top portion 12and communicates with the aperture formed through the top portion. Thespout is positioned well off center on the lid, toward one edge oppositethe lever 15. At the top of the mouthpiece spout 16 are a number ofsmall mouthpiece apertures 18 that communicate with the interior of thelid, and through which beverage may be sipped. These mouthpieceapertures 18 may be set in a mouthpiece recess 17 as shown to furtherminimize drips.

[0035] In operation, one uses the adapter lid 11 in combination with aconventional beverage can 21. The user may convert a conventionalbeverage can into a spill-resistant trainer cup by assembling theadapter lid 11 to the top of the beverage can 21.

[0036] The can is preferably opened in a normal manner by lifting up onthe pull-tab 23 to create the can opening 24. If the user is unable toeasily grip the pull-tab (as is sometimes the case) or does not wish torisk breaking a long fingernail, the release lever means 15 may beemployed to pry the pull-tab 23 up from the top surface of the can. Thismay be accomplished by sliding the free end of the release lever means15 in between the pull-tab 23 and the top outer surface of the can. Thisaction will provide better access to the pull-tab for the user's fingerand will aid in the opening process.

[0037] Once the beverage can 21 has been opened, the adapter lid ispressed down over the top of the open can such that the rim-engagingannulus 14 snaps over and fully engages the groove below the can's rim22 to create a seal. The flexibility of the lid allows slight stretchingof the rim, and/or compression of the rib to allow it to pass over thecan's rim. The lid should not be excessively flexible, because the sealand connection between the lid and the can should be tight enough toavoid unwanted removal by a child. The mouthpiece spout 16 and the canopening 24 should be substantially aligned for optimal performance.

[0038] The user may now drink beverage by sipping from the mouthpiecespout 16 and drawing the liquid through the mouthpiece apertures 18. Thebottom of the can may be raised upwards as the user keeps the mouthpiecespout in his/her mouth (tilting the assembly so the beverage flows fromwithin the can 21 into the mouthpiece spout 16). Suction created by theuser's mouth draws liquid through the mouthpiece apertures 18 and intohis/her mouth for consumption. In between sips, air may flow through themouthpiece apertures to equalize or nearly equalize pressure in the can.If the can 21 with adapter lid 11 on it is jostled or overturned duringuse or transport, very little (if any) beverage will be spilled due tothe small spout apertures, and the closed container that resists fluidflow by vacuum forces.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment, the apertures 18 are each of limitedsize. This limits spillage because the surface tension of a beveragewill cause the apertures of an upended container to seal the aperturesagainst incursion of air. Thus, the vacuum lock serves to preventspillage of more than a minimal amount of the beverage. Larger aperturesmay be suitable when a longer passage, such as a straw, or extendedspout bore, is employed. The aperture must be smaller than a size thatwould allow fluid to be poured from the lidded container.

[0040] When the user has consumed the contents of the can, the adapterlid may be easily removed from the can 21 by an adult by pulling upwardon the release lever 15 until the rim-engaging annulus 14 releases fromthe can's rim 22. The empty can may now be recycled or otherwisedisposed of. The adapter lid may be washed and stored for repeated usageor likewise recycled or disposed of.

[0041]FIG. 3 shows an adapter lid 11′ that is adapted for attachment toseveral different sizes of cans 21 with different sized rims 22. This isaccomplished by providing differently sized channel recesses 20 in theinner surface of the side portion 13. The recesses 20 are concentric toeach other but spaced from each other and occupy spaced apart planesparallel to the lid panel 12. The recesses 20 are progressively large indiameter as they progress away from the panel, and as the side portion13 flares outwardly. Each of the recesses has an inclined wall that isinclined outwardly and an associated rim-engaging annulus 14 a, b & c.Each channel is sided to accommodate a different convention beverage cansize. For cans of significantly different sizes, different lids may berequired

[0042] In operation, one uses the FIG. 3 embodiment of adapter lid 11′in combination with a conventional beverage can 21 in a nearly identicalmanner as one uses the preferred embodiment described above. The adapterlid is pressed down over the top of the open can such that one of themultiple rim-engaging annuli 14 a, b, or c snaps over and fully engagesthe can's rim 22 to create a seal. The adapter lid will seat lower onsmaller diameter cans and higher on larger diameter cans. Asconventional beverage cans may be offered in a few different diametersthat may be close enough to one another to appear identical withoutcareful inspection, the user may assemble this adapter lid 11′ to abeverage can without concern for the can's size. Other aspects ofoperation are identical to those described in detail above for thepreferred embodiment.

[0043]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof an adapter lid 11″ constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. It has a mouthpiece spout 16 provided with a mouthpiece valve31, which comprises a membrane 32 of resiliently flexible materialformed generally at its center with at least one slit or other piercing33 which is normally sealed. The membrane 32 is dished inwardly of themouthpiece spout, but when suction is applied, it is caused to invert toallow liquid to be drawn through its slit(s) 33. The valve may beco-molded in place or it may be assembled separately from the undersideof the adapter lid. In alternative embodiments, the flow limitingfacility may be any suitable means, including a bite valve such as foundon water carrier backpacks for outdoor recreational use.

[0044] In operation, one uses this embodiment of adapter lid 11″ incombination with a conventional beverage can 21 in an identical manneras one uses the preferred embodiment described in detail above. Thevalve 31 is intended to provide an added degree of spill-resistance.

[0045]FIG. 5 shows a further alternative embodiment of an adapter lid11′″. This embodiment includes an air-intake aperture 19 through the topportion 12 to allow air to flow into the system to equalize or nearlyequalize the pressure within the can 21 as beverage is drawn out of themouthpiece apertures 18 of the adapter lid 11′″. The air-intake aperture19 is sized and positioned to minimize the likelihood of any liquidleaking out through it during use of the product, but a valvedarrangement could alternatively be employed to further reduce anypotential leakage.

[0046] In operation one uses this embodiment of adapter lid 11′″ incombination with a conventional beverage can 21 in a nearly identicalmanner as one uses the preferred embodiment described in detail above.The air-intake aperture 19 allows the user to sip from the mouthpieceapertures continually without a vacuum being created within the beveragecan 21 as fluid is withdrawn. Air, which would otherwise need to flowinto the can through the mouthpiece apertures which may be blockedduring continual sipping, may enter through the air-intake aperture toequalize or nearly equalize pressure within the system. Other aspects ofoperation are identical to those described in detail above for thepreferred embodiment.

[0047] Although the description above is provided in terms of preferredand alternative embodiments, these should not be construed as limitingthe scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of someof the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example,the adapter lid could be constructed of other materials such as moldedrubber, vinyl, waxed paper, or formed aluminum. The adapter lid couldemploy various other known means for providing spill-resistance such asa narrow slit or slot instead of small apertures in the mouthpiecespout, or a folding straw or folding integral tube arrangement insteadof the mouthpiece spout. The adapter lid could be a plug that fitssnuggly into the can opening rather than engaging the can rim. Theadapter lid could be formed of an elastic, resilient material that couldstretch to fit over the top of different sizes of cans. The adapter lidcould have walls that extend down from the top portion around or intothe can opening to minimize the contact that the beverage makes with theouter surfaces (top) of the can during use. The adapter lid could employa resiliently flexible O-ring to insure a tight seal between the adapterlid and can rim. The adapter lid could be formed without a mouthpiecerecess. The adapter lid could be made in various sizes to accommodateall size cans including very small ones. The adapter lid could have aseparate spill-proof valve assembly (as in known trainer cups) that maybe assembled to the adapter lid under the mouthpiece spout and which canbe disassembled for washing. The adapter lid may be produced in anycolor.

[0048] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examplesgiven.

1. A lid for a beverage container having a rim comprising: a bodyportion having a circular periphery; a lower wall depending from theperiphery of the body portion in a first direction; the lower wallhaving an interior wall surface defining a sealing feature operable tosealably engage the rim of the container; a spout extending in a seconddirection from the body portion; and the spout having a flow limitingfacility operable to permit passage of beverage fluids under suction,and to limit passage of fluids under gravity.
 2. The lid of claim 1wherein the flow limiting facility is an aperture of limited size. 3.The lid of claim 1 wherein the flow limiting facility is a valve.
 4. Thelid of claim 1 wherein the lid is formed of a flexible plastic material.5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the sealing feature is a rib sized toengage a gap below the rim of a can.
 6. The lid of claim 1 wherein thespout protrudes from the body at a position away from the center of thebody.
 7. The lid of claim 1 wherein the spout defines multipleapertures.
 8. The lid of claim 1 including a vent aperture defined inthe body.
 9. The lid of claim 1 wherein the lower wall is tapered, anddefines a plurality of sealing features, such that several differentsizes of beverage containers may be accommodated.
 10. A lid for abeverage container having an opening comprising: a body portion havingattachment means for removably sealably engaging the container about theopening; and the body portion having a flow limiting facility operableto permit passage of beverage fluids under suction, and to limit passageof fluids under gravity.
 11. The lid of claim 10 wherein the flowlimiting facility is a valve.
 12. The lid of claim 10 wherein the flowlimiting facility is an aperture with a width less than a selectedthreshold.
 13. The lid of claim 10 wherein the aperture is defined in aspout portion protruding from the body.
 14. The lid of claim 10 whereinattachment means includes a skirt having an inner rib operable to engagethe rim of a convention beverage can.
 15. The lid of claim 10 whereinthe skirt is flared, and defines a plurality of ribs, such that severaldifferent sizes of beverage containers may be accommodated.
 16. The lidof claim 10 wherein the spout protrudes from the body at a position awayfrom the center of the body.
 17. The lid of claim 10 wherein the whereinthe body portion defines multiple apertures, such that fluid may flowreadily under suction, but not in response to gravity.
 18. The lid ofclaim 10 including a vent aperture defined in the body.